It was the first of February, and the city awakened to another cool morning. Alex, a marketing executive with a hint of weariness in his eyes, reluctantly emerged from his cosy bed. He paused for a moment, gazing out of the window at the soft hues of the sunrise painting the sky. The promise of a new month, untouched by the commercial craziness of Valentine's Day, offered a glimmer of hope for everyone but Alex.

As Alex went through his familiar morning routine, sipping on a hot cup of coffee and perusing the daily news, he couldn't shake off a sense of apprehension. February used to be a dreaded month for him, saturated with memories of past heartbreaks that seemed to resurface like old wounds.

The proximity to Valentine's Day had always fueled his frustration, leading him to view it as a hollow celebration, full of superficial gestures and obligatory expressions of affection. Alex craved something deeper, more authentic. He longed for a love that transcended a single, designated day and permeated every interaction and moment throughout the year.

The city buzzed with anticipation, as shops and billboards began to display shades of red and pink, hinting at what was to come. Couples walked hand in hand, exchanging blissful glances, seemingly caught up in their own romantic worlds. Their sheer happiness contrasted sharply with Alex's own sense of solitude.

Watching them, so lost in their ideas of love, awoke a deeper feeling of longingness. It wasn’t new, but it wasn’t all that familiar either. But no, he couldn’t let him make that mistake again. He had tried, time and time again, with just a tiny ray of hope that maybe, just maybe he could find someone who was just as lonely yet as determined as himself, who’d give anything in order for their love to survive past years of battles. Love, that made him whole, a person he was meant to be with, for the rest of his life, a complete, pure life… 

It was a beautiful thing, love, yet so tragic, something that was able to raise him into heaven, and drag him back to hell. A thin line, a rare feeling between joy and pain, desire and hopelessness. Unpredictably woven into unnatural, blissful passion that could change anyone to the person they never expected to be. But now, it's no longer delicate, it could be tossed around like a strained piece of cloth, here to there, remorselessly, and Valentines day - as they call it - will only feed those one time desires, and discarded the next. 

Just a few years ago, he trusted his heart upon a girl, whom he accepted, cherished and vowed for about 2 years, only for it to be carelessly dropped. Scattered into a million pieces, and he did not have the will nor energy to pick it up, and fix it. He didn’t want to mend it, in fear for it to only be dropped and smashed again, over and over, like it was nothing but a useless old worn piece of antique. 

It was a rare chance, that he’d willingly open himself, and let his emotions run free, but now it was rather closer to never. Especially after the betrayed pain and hopeless heartbreak he had suffered, that was the last straw he told himself constantly, drilled into his brain… especially if it's on Valentines day. Even thinking about it, sent him into a spiral of frustration, disbelief and affliction. 

Suddenly realising he’d been staring at the lovey-dovey couple for a while now, he averted his eyes away, and rushed through the daily news. He placed his close-to-empty mug on the table as he finished skimming. He picked up his briefcase and walked out of his apartment. 

On the other side Taylor, the cold wind of February finally arrived with multiple yearnings and memories flooding the lovestruck streets, and she couldn’t wait for the upcoming celebratory event of Valentines Day. It was going to be her comeback for the year, and she cannot afford to ruin in any way. No excuses, because she was going to put everything she got into this special occasion. For two weeks, the city will be bustling on and on, eagerly awaiting this year's preparations, and Taylor, the recently thriving, uprising event coordinator, will be in charge of the entire process. 

Looking back, she never thought of herself being a promising event planner. It wasn’t even something she knew of when she was young. But ever since the … incident … she couldn’t bear to part from the very thing that kept her sane all these years. 

"Promise me Tay.. Promise me that’ll you’ll live a happy life … even without me …"

How could she not have known… that he’d…

No. He wouldn’t want her mourning. He wouldn’t want her distracted and in pain. He’d want her to celebrate their memories, relieved of the hardships they overcame together, and see her living her best in the life he guided. It hurts, more than she can admit it. But just for this month, she needs to compress it away, for the sake of her brother, for the sake of her own well being and devotion to their reminiscence.  

Many people believe Valentine’s Day as something filled with romance, desires and even magical occurrences and fortune-filled phenomenons. What they fail to see, is that it is a gathering and a boost of confidence for those who wish to cherish the one they love the most, whether it be their partner, friend, family, or even pet, everyone is worth celebrating on this special day. It’s what her brother believed, and it’s what Taylor believes. 

Tears dripping from her damp, strained eyes awoke her from her runaway train of thoughts. Glancing at the hectic yet lively crowd, her lips tugged. With a small smile, she chided to herself. She was going to make Valentine's Day memorable. 

“Excuse me?” 

Her mind instantly switched back as she noticed the man in front her. He shuffled nervously, his hand fidgeting, and looked awkwardly at her. He was dressed up in a nice suit looking relatively handsome, with those sharp eyes, and steady facial structure , yet she felt a sense of suffocation from the man in front of her. 

“Sorry to bother you… but um… i’ve been watching you … oh- that sounds creepy. What I meant to say was … I couldn’t help but be intrigued by you… ah I sound so cheesy! I’m sorry” 

He shoves his face into his hands. She was confused at his words, most importantly she was surprised that those words were intended for her. She couldn’t help but feel her cheeks heat up. 

She scratched the back of her neck, thinking of how to respond to this sudden compliment, especially from a stranger she’d never seen before. Her words tumbled out in an awkward mumble. “Th-thank you….it doesn’t sound cheesy at all…” 

The man peaked through his fingers, which Taylor instantly compared to that of the cute eyes of a small cat, scared yet yearning for affection. A strange sort of deja vu brought on a small smile upon her lips. 

“W-would you like to get a coffee with me…sometime?” 

Taylor’s heart instantly tugged, her stomach dropped guiltily as she recognized the shot of deja vu she encountered. 

“When a guy comes and asks you for coffee, reject him. No matter how good looking he is! You understand?” 

Taylor rolled her eyes. “I’m old enough to date Carter. Stop being so overprotective.” 

“You never know what type of guy he is, until he hurts you.” He growls, his brown eyes squinting playfully, shimmering mischievously, it reminded her of cats. Those sharp eyes, that either sends shivers down your bone, or wants you to go cuddle it for the rest of your life. 

She felt her eyes well up once again. Quickly standing up, she bowed slightly at the awkward boy in front of her. “I’m sorry, I’ve got to get going. Hope to… see you around.” She quickly rushed out, as her heart started to feel compressed. It suffocated her. This pain, she can’t handle it. She could never get over it, so it was silly how she could possibly think of loving someone. Letting go of someone you love, and cherish so much hurts, hurts more than death itself. The pain of them not being there with you, after you’ve spent so long together … 

Her heart tightens again, she didn’t know what it was. Was it fear, or was it pain? Or was it something she can never really figure out, until it goes away… will it go away ? 

“Oh my god! There you are! We’re running late already. Come on!” A hand grabbed her, and dragged her away, from the pain, and circling thoughts. 

Focus. She told herself. Now’s not the time. 

TO BE CONTINUED

Written by Demichat
Project led by 0rbofnight
Graphics by PriskeBTuniverSe